99' Dakota 3.9L towing

[semo549]

Hey guys this year I'm keeping my 77' Sea Ray 18ft bow rider at the marina in covered storage. I usually tow with my Dads 1/2 ton silverado 2x4 from my house to the marina with no problems. I have a 99' Dakota 2x4 3.9L 5sp. I'll just be using the Dakota to put the boat in and out of the water. The question is can I just use my bumper hitch on my Dakota to put the boat in the water? I'm pretty sure the bumper is rated at 200lbs tongue, 2000lbs tow. I'm not sure of the boats weight, 3500lbs maybe... with a tandem axle trailor. I will mostly be using the Silverado but I just want to know if I were to use my truck would it be okay? I know it exceeds the wieght it is rated for but its only 50' from the shed to the marina. Thanks

Jim

 

[Thunderbird885cc]

Re: 99' Dakota 3.9L towing

I would avoid it if you can. The truck will probably do it (not for long)but the extra strain on that vehicle will shorten it's life Lots of weight and a clutch connected to a lower hp motor spells destruction for your clutch. I'd guess that would be the first thing to fail.

 

[642mx]

Re: 99' Dakota 3.9L towing

I wouldn't use a bumper ball to pull anything, get a real hitch. Like most 2WD trucks that are light in the rear end, it may spin and struggle on a wet ramp... but it should do the job.

 

[semo549]

Re: 99' Dakota 3.9L towing

Yeah I was kind of thinking that it would hold up, just not for a while... However the ramp isn't real steep untill the end of summer when the river drops so I'm not to worried about the clutch. Looks like I better go ahead and get a class III. I pulled it all last year with a 2x4 silverado. I could do it just fine but when I would make my gal pull me out of the water she manages to lite that right rear up lol. She can't drive a stick so I'll do the driving with the Dakota. I need to finish college and get a real truck.... lol Thanks for the replys

 

[ajgraz]

Re: 99' Dakota 3.9L towing

I've got a '93 Dakota 3.9L, and my 15' Trihull gives the truck all it can handle. I'd be scared.

And definitely forget about the bumper hitch.

 

[Ocean Airbrush]

Re: 99' Dakota 3.9L towing

Bumper hitch is not optional, but I can tell you that I have personally towed a 23' renken seamaster with the same truck for two seasons and it weighs in around 5000lbs. That little engine is quite capable as long as you don't get in a hurry.

 

[semo549]

Re: 99' Dakota 3.9L towing

The only other concern is I swapped the rear axle to a 3.21 it used to be a 3.73. I do alot of highway driving. The swap was definitly not worth it, that truck is sloooooow. O well I guess we'll see what happens.

 

[security6]

Re: 99' Dakota 3.9L towing

The truck is most likely ok to tow 3500 lbs (check owner's manual to verify), but the bumper hitch sure isn't. The risk you run is bending the bumper, or even pulling it completely off. There isn't a lot that can go wrong in 50 feet, but that is plenty of time to bend metal. I think you'll find a proper hitch is cheaper than a replacement bumper.

 

[tawood]

Re: 99' Dakota 3.9L towing

My dad has a '99 Dakota with the 3.9L...even though it is rated to pull around 5000 lbs, it struggles with his less-than-3000 lbs trailer.

 

[NYBo]

Re: 99' Dakota 3.9L towing

I also have a '99 Dakota 3.9L (4x4, automatic trans); it is rated to tow 5000#. But that's because it has 3.92 differentials. The 3.9L has good low-end torque for its size, but it runs out of steam fast (redline is below 5K).